Monday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 11/12/2012

Florida to work on implementing health-care law

With the Affordable Care Act more certain than ever, some lawmakers are calling for a careful look at how to implement it here. Even Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a staunch opponent, appeared to be softening his longstanding refusal to acknowledge the law. More from the Palm Beach Post and the Miami Herald.

Commercial operations continue on both the Babcock Preserve, which the state owns, and on Syd Kitson’s Babcock Ranch property. [Photo: Carlton Ward Jr.] Go to story.

Six years ago, developer Kitson set out to create the greenest city on earth on a southwest Florida cattle ranch. Now the survival of Babcock Ranch shows the importance of another kind of green. "We’re long-term thinkers," Kitson said. If you view anything like a Babcock Ranch in the short term, you have a very hard time kind of getting to the end." Full story here.

The graying of South Florida's work force

At 82, Joseph Mastropierro is planning on working forever. The former engineer who became an entrepreneur is now trying to open a deli in Dania Beach. The deli will help him supplement his Social Security check. Joseph Mastropierro is not alone. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida Poly to draw jobs, development, housing and more

Polytechnic visions of job-focused college degrees danced in the heads of Polk County business professionals, politicians and civic leaders when they began to dream of having a new state university. But that's not all that was dancing. Mental dollar signs were doing the salsa earlier this year when lawmakers approved creating Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland as the state's 12th public university. [Source: Ledger Media Group]

Florida still suffers from philanthropy sent 'back home'

While Florida is about to become the nation's third largest state in population, its institutions of all kinds remain modest recipients of philanthropy compared to those in wealthier states. Once again, much of the philanthropy practiced by rich Florida residents — who inevitably moved here from somewhere else — continues to go "back home" to out-of-state universities, medical facilities and various cultural organizations. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Artists square off in 20-hour painting competition[Orlando Sentinel] In one corner of the Death By Pop-Up Shop in Audubon Park sat a dreadlocked painter and Orlando hip-hop artist. Near a window stood SKIP, a thin, scruffy-bearded artist who uses hand-cut stencils and spray paint to create vibrant, sunny pieces of art. On Saturday, the two began a head-to-head, 20-hour painting competition meant to bring attention to the gallery and show off some the artistic talents of Orlando.

› Developer finds another way after banks say ‘no'[Ocala Star-Banner] The green, white and gold sign announces that a Beef 'O' Brady's sports pub is coming soon. Like many temporary construction signs, this one lists who is providing the financing — but this one deserves a second look. The sign states the project is being financed by “Brian's Friends” and adds, with a sad-faced graphic, that banks would not loan them any money.

› Column: Orange's political pendulum stops swinging [Orlando Sentinel] This will go down as the year Orange County's swing between Republicans and Democrats finally came to a stop and landed on the left. Orange is no longer up for grabs. We now look an awful lot like Palm Beach County — one of the state's most heavily Democratic-leaning counties — but 10 degrees colder in the winter and no ocean view.

› Soccer event a winner for Brevard tourism[Florida Today] It’s not moneyball, but it brings tourism dollars to Brevard County. The NJCAA Division I women’s national soccer championship tournament starts Monday in Melbourne, bringing about 1,000 soccer players and their families to the county and generating about $1 million for the economy, officials estimate.